Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are a major threat to the vulnerable marine, freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity. IAS are a major interest to Jamaica as they pose a direct threat to the high level of biodiversity. Jamaica’s industries are centred on the country’s biodiversity. As such a decrease in biodiversity threatens the livelihood of fishers, farmers, and persons employed to the tourism industry. Negative impact on these industries as a result of IAS will result in a significant reduction in Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The project objective is to mitigate the threat to local biodiversity and economy from IAS.
This will be achieved through five main initiatives:
Increasing the national capacity to address potential risks posed to biodiversity of global significance from invasive alien species
Increasing regional cooperation to reduce risk posed to biodiversity of global significance from invasive alien species
Strengthening access to data and establishment of best practice, and public awareness of IAS
Increasing capacity to strengthen prevention of new IAS introductions; and
Increased capacity to respond, control and manage IAS impacting globally significant biodiversity.
The fifth initiative includes the implementation of a pilot project to control and manage the spread of the Lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) in Jamaica.
Read more: Lionfish Project Final Technical Report (PDF)